CARSTAIRS - There is no doubt that Carstairs produces a large number of great athletes. The proof was on display on the evening of June 12 at the town hall.
About 100 athletes were on hand as the Town of Carstairs honoured all local athletes who attended provincials in 2016-17.
Carstairs CAO Carl McDonnell told the Gazette that in total there were 175 athletes honoured by the town, with about 100 showing up to receive their awards in person from Mayor Lance Colby and shake hands with the mayor and council before gathering for a group photo outside.
McDonnell said the number of athletes was the highest ever honoured by the town in the seven years they have been honouring provincial success.
"Our next closest was about 120 athletes," said McDonnell. "I think a lot of it is the facilities we have and the coaches that we have. We have some really great, long-term dedicated coaches. Having the consistency with the coaching makes a big difference."
The town recognized all the provincial coaches with sports awards for their great service as well.
Athletes from the following teams/sports were honoured: Canadian Badlands Aquatic Club (swimming); Solstice Synchronized Skating Club; U-18 women's soccer; U-12 boys' soccer; U-16 boys' soccer; Rocky Mountain Athletic Association (RMAA) Renegades midget hockey; RMAA Renegades bantam hockey; Olds Grizzlys bantam female hockey; Olds Grizzly atom female hockey; Olds Grizzlys peewee female hockey; ACVC Reign U-15 blue volleyball; Bantam lacrosse - Alberta Summer Games; Hugh Sutherland School girls' golf team; Sturling (stick curling); U-18 and U-21 women's curling; bantam curling; and Hugh Sutherland School track and field.
"Normally the kids that do well in these things are great citizens outside too," said McDonnell. "So it's nice to recognize them. We also see them donating time in other organizations as well."
In other council news, council approved and signed a franchise agreement with ATCO (Bylaw No. 1048) to continue to provide gas to the town.
"We signed the ATCO franchise agreement so that's another extension of that," he said. "That's been on there for a few months. It had to be advertised. There were no objections to that."
Marie Pederson was appointed the returning officer for the upcoming municipal election. McDonnell told the Gazette that Pederson is a community member and ran the last election for the town as well.
Council also heard a number of concerns from residents regarding broken branches due to the recent windstorm.
"We talked about how we'll have to bring in a contractor and get some of those down," said McDonnell.
